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No.That wasn’t going to happen. I had gotten this far. Over and over, I reminded myself this was real. I had made my escape!
After all the time I’d spent in that cell, my eyes were well-adjusted to the dark. In the distance, I recognized the old wagon wheel in the expansive vegetable garden by the servants’ quarters. On my right, apple trees in the orchards were covered in flowers; soon, they’d bear their fruit. To my left, mahogany horse stables rose up next to the kennels that housed my father’s hounds. Excess firewood had been stacked beside the buildings.
A few of the dogs whined upon our exit from belowground. Those animals had been my father’s pride and joy, and he used to take them hunting for game. I was surprised the witch had not killed them, since she seemed to take so much pleasure in destroying everything he’d held dear.
Trees swayed, their branches swiping like swords in the gusts blowing through the courtyard. Dark clouds rolled across the sky, hiding the moon. A bunch of crows sat on the fence sectioning off the courtyard. They cawed at me, a few pecking their beaks against the fence.
I swallowed hard. All strange and ominous signs, especially considering crows did not hunt at night.
But I pushed the thought aside to marvel at even the smallest detail of the outside world, so precious, so beloved by me. All I’d had to stare at for the last nine months had been dirt, water-stained walls, cockroaches, dripping water, and straw on the floor. If I had enough strength I stayed by the window to wonder at the world outside my window and watch the birds flitter in the trees.
One of the men nudged me to continue, and I gasped, hurrying forward, clutching the arm he’d touched.
Waiting by the stables were five horses equipped with saddles, satchels, and water sacks. My beloved stallion, Poseidon—named after the mighty sea god himself—was with them.
At our approach, all the horses whinnied, clomping their hooves. Having ridden horses all my life, I understood their behavior well and recognized their unease. It mingled with my own.
The year I turned five, my father had insisted I take riding lessons, and my instructor had taught me how to train, ride, and care for my pet. When I’d been fifteen, my mare, Stormwielder, had broken her leg and had to be put down. For moon cycles, I’d grieved for her, locking myself in my room, crying all day long. In her honor, I hadn’t ridden for an entire year…hadn’t even looked at another horse.
This lasted roughly fifteen months, until my father tricked me into attending the birth of a beautiful black gelding. The sweet colt, whose mother was one of Father’s mares, came into the world during a storm, and the moment I saw him, I fell in love with him. I’d named him “Poseidon” after the mighty and graceful sea god.
Warmth spread across my chest upon seeing my horse again. His patient, powerful, and calm demeanor touched my soul. He flicked his long, dark tail and snorted, a sign he gave me to let me know he recognized me, too. A thrill chased along my spine at the realization that he hadn’t forgotten me. After I’d been imprisoned, I’d never expected to see my beloved horse again.
“I thought that evil bitch sent Poseidon to the slaughterhouse for meat,” I told Rumi, earning a displeased snort and stomp from my stallion.
She chuckled. “You still have friends, child. Friends willing to fight for you and for this land.”
My heart did a little flip in my chest. “Why didn’t they come for me?”
Sorrow pooled in Rumi’s eyes. “They mounted a rescue but were ambushed. They barely managed to get out alive with your horse.”
This was the first time I’d heard of this. Anger and hurt filled me when I thought about them leaving me behind. Even though the evil witch had intercepted them, my mysterious friends could have returned for me sooner.
Upon my arrival at Poseidon’s side, I ran my hands along his smooth coat, which someone had kept in good condition for me.
“Did that witch hurt you?” I asked him, leaning against his neck, inhaling his fresh horsey and dusty scent. Whoever had cared for him on my behalf, I owed them a great debt.
Poseidon stepped backward to nuzzle my neck. I clung to him, feeling the tears welling again.
Our reunion was cut short by Rumi’s interruption.
“Leave now, my child. Go to Wildfire. Find the cave by the old iron mine. The resistance is waiting for you there. Take dear Kelvin with you.”
I vaguely recalled passing the mines once as my father and I had ventured up the foothills of the mountains to meet the dragon king. But that was when I’d been ten sun cycles old. I wasn’t sure I remembered the way. It was two days’ ride to Wildfire. Then about another two to the cave.
Why would I visit some mysterious group? What did they want with me? Why hadn’t they come themselves? Dragons weren’t known for their friendliness. One had to seek permission before entering their lands. I could be venturing into even more dangerous territory.
“I don’t remember where to go,” I said, questions bubbling on my tongue. “Do I have permission from the dragon king to enter Wildfire? Who in the name of Poseidon are the resistance?”
Rumi didn’t answer my questions. “Poseidon knows the way. They’ve trained him well.”
Trained him? Who was this mysterious group?
Rumi pushed a leather satchel into my hands. It weighed several pounds. I wanted to open it and examine its contents, but Rumi’s words prevented that.
“You must leave now,” Rumi said. “Change into these fresh clothes. There’s enough food on the horse to last you and Kelvin the few days’ ride.”
My heart felt as if it sank to the bottom of my chest, leaving a dull throb. I’d only just gotten Rumi back, and she wanted to leave me again.No.She and Poseidon were all I had left.
